70 years later, the "Bandung Spirit" guides development in the Global South
Seventy years following the conference, the Bandung Spirit remains a source of inspiration for nations in the Global South, encouraging them to seek a shared development path through mutually beneficial cooperation via the Belt and Road Initiative and other platforms.
TroibNews 
This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Asian-African Conference, commonly known as the Bandung Conference, which took place in Bandung, Indonesia, on April 18, 1955. This pivotal gathering represented the first time that countries from the Global South came together to oppose imperialism and colonialism, asserting their sovereign rights and advocating for a fairer world.
At the conference, leaders and representatives from 29 Asian and African nations introduced the concept of the Bandung Spirit, which emphasizes "solidarity, friendship and cooperation."
Seventy years later, this spirit continues to motivate nations in the Global South to seek a new approach to common development through collaborative efforts, particularly within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and similar platforms.
During the opening ceremony, Sukarno, Indonesia's first president, called for an awakening among Southern nations. He stated, "Wherever, whenever and however it appears, colonialism is an evil thing, and it must be eradicated from the earth." He further expressed his hope, saying, "I hope that it will give evidence of the fact that we Asian and African leaders understand that Asia and Africa can prosper only when they are united, and that even the safety of the world at large cannot be safeguarded without a united Asia-Africa."
Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, who led the Chinese delegation, proposed that the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence serve as the foundation for fostering friendly cooperation among developing nations. Zhou originally introduced these principles during a meeting with an Indian delegation on December 31, 1953, and they were later included in joint statements issued by China, India, and Myanmar in 1954, ultimately becoming an essential aspect of the Bandung Spirit. These principles have since gained widespread acceptance as fundamental norms in international relations and core elements of international law.
On Tuesday, a conference was held in Beijing to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, gathering diplomats, scholars, and policymakers from various Asian and African nations. The event focused on the ongoing significance of the Bandung Spirit and its impact on fostering a more inclusive global order in the 21st century.
"Over the past 70 years, both the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit have been incorporated into a number of key international documents, gaining broad recognition and adherence across the global community," remarked Zhao Zhimin, secretary-general of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun highlighted that the Bandung Conference's call for a more just and equitable international order played a crucial role in propelling the decolonization movement and the emergence of the Non-Aligned Movement across Asia and Africa. He emphasized, "Although the world has changed significantly, the original call for a fairer international order remains highly relevant," stressing the need to enhance South-South cooperation in areas like digital transformation, regional connectivity, food and energy security, and global governance reform.
Zhai Kun, deputy director of the Institute of Area Studies at Peking University, stated, "The Bandung Spirit's emphasis on respecting differences, embracing coexistence, and prioritizing consultation offers valuable insights for addressing today's governance challenges."
For decades, China has maintained, inherited, and promoted the Bandung Spirit. The country’s diplomatic concepts and governance strategies, including the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and the three global initiatives—Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative—are in harmony with the Bandung Spirit.
In a written address at a roundtable focused on promoting the Bandung Spirit held on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the need to inherit and advance the Bandung Spirit to construct a shared home of peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty, and friendship. He asserted that China is dedicated to building a community with a shared future for mankind, emphasizing that this commitment will create new opportunities, generate new avenues, and provide fresh momentum for the development of the Global South and other nations worldwide.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
At the conference, leaders and representatives from 29 Asian and African nations introduced the concept of the Bandung Spirit, which emphasizes "solidarity, friendship and cooperation."
Seventy years later, this spirit continues to motivate nations in the Global South to seek a new approach to common development through collaborative efforts, particularly within the frameworks of the Belt and Road Initiative and similar platforms.
During the opening ceremony, Sukarno, Indonesia's first president, called for an awakening among Southern nations. He stated, "Wherever, whenever and however it appears, colonialism is an evil thing, and it must be eradicated from the earth." He further expressed his hope, saying, "I hope that it will give evidence of the fact that we Asian and African leaders understand that Asia and Africa can prosper only when they are united, and that even the safety of the world at large cannot be safeguarded without a united Asia-Africa."
Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai, who led the Chinese delegation, proposed that the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence serve as the foundation for fostering friendly cooperation among developing nations. Zhou originally introduced these principles during a meeting with an Indian delegation on December 31, 1953, and they were later included in joint statements issued by China, India, and Myanmar in 1954, ultimately becoming an essential aspect of the Bandung Spirit. These principles have since gained widespread acceptance as fundamental norms in international relations and core elements of international law.
On Tuesday, a conference was held in Beijing to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, gathering diplomats, scholars, and policymakers from various Asian and African nations. The event focused on the ongoing significance of the Bandung Spirit and its impact on fostering a more inclusive global order in the 21st century.
"Over the past 70 years, both the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit have been incorporated into a number of key international documents, gaining broad recognition and adherence across the global community," remarked Zhao Zhimin, secretary-general of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
Indonesian Ambassador to China Djauhari Oratmangun highlighted that the Bandung Conference's call for a more just and equitable international order played a crucial role in propelling the decolonization movement and the emergence of the Non-Aligned Movement across Asia and Africa. He emphasized, "Although the world has changed significantly, the original call for a fairer international order remains highly relevant," stressing the need to enhance South-South cooperation in areas like digital transformation, regional connectivity, food and energy security, and global governance reform.
Zhai Kun, deputy director of the Institute of Area Studies at Peking University, stated, "The Bandung Spirit's emphasis on respecting differences, embracing coexistence, and prioritizing consultation offers valuable insights for addressing today's governance challenges."
For decades, China has maintained, inherited, and promoted the Bandung Spirit. The country’s diplomatic concepts and governance strategies, including the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, the idea of building a community with a shared future for mankind, and the three global initiatives—Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative—are in harmony with the Bandung Spirit.
In a written address at a roundtable focused on promoting the Bandung Spirit held on Thursday, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the need to inherit and advance the Bandung Spirit to construct a shared home of peace, tranquility, prosperity, beauty, and friendship. He asserted that China is dedicated to building a community with a shared future for mankind, emphasizing that this commitment will create new opportunities, generate new avenues, and provide fresh momentum for the development of the Global South and other nations worldwide.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
